Fence post and a kit for erecting a modular mesh partition wall

ABSTRACT

A post for assembling and erecting unframed wire mesh partition panels made of crisscrossing vertical and horizontal wires. The post comprises a central channel spanning lengthwise along the post, the central channel being sized to adjustly receive and mount a lateral end of a first partition panel. The post further comprises two lateral flanges flanking the central channel and a plurality of spaced hooks disposed along the two lateral flanges for holding and assembling a second and a third partition panel, the hooks pointing towards the central channel and being sized to hold the vertical wire of a lateral end of said second and third partition panel. The invention also concerns a kit for assembling a modular partition wall.

[0001] This application claims priority from pending Canadian Patent Application Nos. 2,385,226 filed on May 7, 2002 and 2,412,253 filed on Nov. 21, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to security partition assemblies. More particularly, it concerns a fence post and a kit for assembling and erecting a modular wire mesh partition panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Wire mesh enclosure systems are widely used techniques for closing and securing indoor or outdoor enclosures. Different assemblies of enclosure systems are available on the market but most have the same major drawbacks; the posts used to erect the partition panels have limited fastening capabilities and can only support, at best, a maximum of two partition panels.

[0004] Also, even though the partition panels of most of these systems are available in different sizes, they do not allow the building of an enclosure of any size unless manufacturing custom sizes, which involve lengthy deliveries and the impossibility of making last minute changes. Often the fastening means of these partition panels are located on the edges thereof and cutting these partition panels does not allow them to be rearranged together again.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,382 (CA 2,054,502 Charbaut et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,426 (Tu et al) give examples of prior art fence posts for assembling wire mesh panels. Charbaut discloses a fence post provided with two arms having a plurality of spaced hooks for attachment of wire mesh panels. In this case, at most two wire mesh panels can be erected on the post, thus limiting the possible number of enclosures that can be formed. On their side, Tu et al disclose a T-shaped post for mounting a single wire mesh panel framed at the top and bottom thereof with horizontal transverse beams. The post comprises a generally squared U-shaped cross-section and vertically punched-out hooking seats for holding the transverse beams in conjunction with fastening seats anchored to the inside portion of the U-shaped channel.

[0006] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,561 B2 (Larsen et al.) a metal fence post is disclosed for assembling fence boards comprising reinforcing horizontal fence rails. The post is T-shaped with a generally U-shaped reinforcing channel positioned between two flanges. Each of the flanges includes a plurality of holes extending along an edge. The fence post can be used as a line post, corner post or end post. The thickness of the sides of the U-shaped center section is about the same as the thickness of the wooden fence rails so that the fence posts are positioned in-line with the fence rails. The fence posts allow the fence boards to be attached to either or both sides of the rails.

[0007] Other examples of prior art fence posts are given in: U.S. Pat. Nos. 599,303; 611,659; 1,496,665; 2,581,318; 3,014,700; 3,332,189; 3,651,851; 3,770,246; 4,083,535; 4,294,430; 4,346,871; 4,526,347; 4,553,740; 4,595,176; 4,619,440; 4,684,108; 4,794,744; 4,979,724; 5,100,108; 5,275,382; 5,350,155; 5,379,564; 5,542,649; 5,676,350; 5,746,040; 5,813,662; 6,151,852; 6,412,236 B1; 2002/0,027,225 A1; CA 1,195,867; CA 1,300,949; CA 2,054,503; CA 2,059,777; CA 2,176,582; EP 0 154 049 A1; EP 0 503 952 A1; EP 0 596 825 A1; EP 0 808 969 A2; EP 0 903 452 A1; CH 683627 A5; DE 4416722 A1; FR 2660003 A1; GB 2,230,280 A; JP 02157374A; JP 06033640 A; JP 10176443 A; JP 11101026 A; JP 2000008661 A;

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object the present invention to provide an improved fence post for assembling and erecting unframed wire mesh partition panels made of criss-crossing vertical and horizontal wires. The post comprises a central channel spanning lengthwise along the post. The central channel is sized to adjustly receive and mount a lateral end of a first partition panel. The post further comprises two lateral flanges flanking the central channel and extending lengthwise along the post; and a plurality of spaced hooks disposed along the two lateral flanges for holding and assembling a second and a third partition panel. The hooks are pointing towards the central channel and are sized to hold the vertical wire of a lateral end of the second and third partition panel.

[0009] This post has the advantage of allowing a rapid and easy installation of wire mesh panels, thereby providing an enclosure whose size is the one chosen by the user. In addition, no specialized tools are required and the arrangement can be quickly dismantled. This post also has the advantage of allowing the installation of one, two, three, and, as explained below, even four mesh partition panels thereby providing numerous possibilities of arrangement, as for example the possibility of mounting inner partition panels within a security enclosure.

[0010] In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the hooks are made of a partially punched-out surface of the flanges; and the post is made integrally of a bent, single metal strip.

[0011] Also preferably, the flanges are extending at a right angle to the central channel, the flanges and the central channel defining together a generally T-shaped cross section.

[0012] The present invention is also directed to a kit for erecting a modular partition wall comprising a set of unframed wire mesh partition panels made of criss-crossing vertical and horizontal wires and at least one post as described above.

[0013] The partition panels preferably comprise additional horizontal wires doubling a number of the horizontal wires to reinforce the structure of the partition panels and to render the unframed partition panel easy to cut at any size without reducing the rigidity of the same.

[0014] Preferably, the set further comprises at least one two-sided corner post, comprising two lateral flanges joined at right angles to each other and extending lengthwise along the corner post, and a plurality of spaced hooks disposed along the two lateral flanges to hold two partition panels of the set. The hooks are pointing inwardly and are sized to hold the vertical wire of a lateral end of each of the two partition panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a top view of a modular security partition system made with a kit of T-shaped and corner posts; and unframed wire mesh partition panels according to the invention.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a T-shaped post according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a top view of the T-shaped post of FIG. 2.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the T-shaped post of FIG. 2 showing how to mount two wire mesh partition panels thereto.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a T-shaped post according to another preferred embodiment of the invention on which four wire mesh partition panels are mounted.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the corner posts shown in FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 7 is a top view of the corner post of FIG. 6.

[0023]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the corner post of FIG. 6 showing a wire mesh partition panel mounted thereto.

[0024]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a wire mesh panel.

[0025]FIG. 10 is an enlargement of a portion of the mesh panel of FIG. 9.

[0026]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of two types of brackets used to mount wire mesh panels on a wall surface.

[0027]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a horizontal header set on top of two wire mesh panels.

[0028] While the invention will be described in conjunction with example embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTIONS OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The present invention concerns an improved metal fence post for assembling and erecting more than two unframed wire mesh partition panels and a kit for rapidly and easily erecting a modular partition wall system. This kit is ideal for rapidly and easily creating secured storage areas in large or small warehouses. They ensure complete protection without interfering with the free circulation of air and light.

[0030] In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals and in order to lighten the figures, some elements are not referred to in some figures if they were already identified in a precedent figure.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a top view of a possible configuration of a partition wall system (1) built with unframed wire mesh partition panels (10), T-shaped posts (12) and corner posts (14) which are in conformity with the present invention. As can be appreciated, the T-shaped posts (12) which are also referred to as three-sided posts, can be used to form sub-divisions within a larger area.

[0032] Each element of the kit will now be described separately.

[0033] The T-Shaped Post (Also Referred to as Three-Sided Posts)

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the T-shaped posts (12), which are for assembling and erecting more than two unframed wire mesh partition panels (10), comprise a central channel (16) spanning lengthwise along the post (12). As shown in FIG. 3, the central channel (16) is sized to adjustly receive and mount a lateral end (18) of a first partition panel (10 a in FIG. 5). Two lateral flanges (20) which are provided with a plurality of spaced hooks (22) disposed along the two lateral flanges (20), branch out from the central channel 16). The hooks (22) are pointing towards the central channel (16) and are sized to hold the vertical wire of a lateral end of a second and third partition panel (10 b and 10 c in FIGS. 4 and 5). The two lateral flanges (20) are thus for mounting and assembling a second and a third partition panel to the post (12).

[0035] The flanges (20) are preferably extending at right angles to the central channel (16); the flanges (20) and the central channel (16) are thus defining together a generally T-shaped cross section. It is however worth mentioning that in another embodiment not illustrated, those flanges may very well extend at a different angle from the central channel without departing from the scope of the present invention as long as they allow the fixation of those above described second and third partition panels.

[0036] Also preferably, the central channel (16) has a generally rounded U-shape which allows the insertion of the lateral end of a partition panel (10) in a close-fitted relationship.

[0037] The T-shaped post (12) can advantageously be made integrally from a single, bent metal strip which makes it easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the hooks (22) are preferably punched-out from the metal surface equidistantly along the entire length of the flanges (20) and are incurvated towards the central channel (16), whereas in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the hooks (22) are made by cutting and bending the vertical edge of the metal strip of the flanges (20).

[0039] The advantage of the punched-out hooks over the bent hooks is that the punched-out hooks provide a more solid and stable fixation of the wire panel by preventing the same from swivelling around the post.

[0040] The T-shaped post (12) also preferably allows for the installation of a fourth partition panel (10 d) to an outer surface of the central channel, as shown in FIG. 5, opposite the first partition panel (10 a). This fourth partition panel can be bolted or screwed to the outer surface of the channel, or the post can be provided with holders along the outer surface of the central channel for mounting the fourth partition panel. These holders could take the form of hooks as described above, or they could be simply screw-receiving holes.

[0041] To sum up, the T-shaped post allows the assembling of four partition panels, a first one inserted into the U-shaped channel, a second and a third one secured to the two opposite flanges, and a fourth one attached to the outer surface of the central channel using, for example, bolts or self-tapping screws to form a partition wall perpendicular to the second and third panels. The versatility of this T-shaped post allows for a fully adaptable partition assembly to be built rapidly and easily to any desired size.

[0042] Further preferably, the post is provided with a base plate (24) at a bottom end thereof for maintaining the post in an upright position on a ground surface. The base plate can be welded to the post. Alternatively, the kit may preferably comprise base supports adapted to receive the bottom end of the post for maintaining the same in an upright position.

[0043] Corner Posts

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, a second type of post (14) is used to build the partition assembly. As can be seen, this post, which is referred to as a corner post or a two-sided post, is generally L-shaped and it comprises two lateral flanges (26) joined at right angles to each other.

[0045] Similarly to the T-shaped post, hooks (22) are punched-out of the metal surface equidistantly along the entire length of the flanges and are incurvated towards the intersection of both flanges, as can be seen in the top view of FIG. 7. Again, the post is provided with a base plate (24) at a bottom end thereof for maintaining the post in an upright position on a ground surface.

[0046] The L-shaped posts are essentially used as corner posts and, consequently allow the perpendicular mounting of two wire mesh panels (10) by insertion of their vertical edges into the punched-out hooks of its flanges.

[0047] Unframed Wire Mesh Partition Panels

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, since the posts according to the invention are adapted to hold, by means of their hooks, vertical wires of a mesh panel, a wire mesh partition panel suitable for use with the above described posts is an unframed panel, meaning that there are no vertical or horizontal beams reinforcing the top, the bottom and the lateral ends of the panel, the lateral ends of the panel thus consist of vertical wires of the panel. It is thus very simple to cut the panel to any size without affecting its possibility of being mounted to a post according to the invention.

[0049] The partition panels preferably have a vertical height (h₁) greater than their width (l₁) along the horizontal axis in order to ensure a sufficient rigidity of the assembly. A strong structure apt for indoor use as well as for outdoor use is therefore provided.

[0050] As for example, the panel shown is rectangular and has originally a horizontal length l₁=48 inches and a vertical height h₁=96 inches. The mesh pattern of this panel is woven from regularly spaced horizontal and vertical metal wires welded to each other at every joint, forming right angle attachments. Preferably, the mesh panel consists of 6 ga horizontal wires positioned 3 inches apart and of 8 ga vertical wires positioned 1.5 inches apart.

[0051] The grid formed by these wires has a vertical grid pitch (p) longer than the length of the punched-out hooks for easy insertion of the mesh panel into both types of posts. The wire mesh panels are shown mounted on a T-shaped post in FIGS. 4 and 5 and on a corner post in FIG. 8.

[0052] Preferably, five of the horizontal wires are doubled with an additional 6 ga reinforcing wire (28). Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a perspective view of the wire mesh panel with reinforcing wires preferably located at h₃=6 inches and at h₂=12 inches from both the top and the bottom of the panel. Additionally, a central reinforcing wire is located at 48 inches from both the top and the bottom of the panel. The reinforcing horizontal wires have a length (l₂) shorter by about one grid square on each extremity than the length (l₁) of the horizontal wire being doubled, so as not to interfere with the mounting of the mesh panel on the posts.

[0053] Brackets for mounting partition mesh panels to a wall surface

[0054] Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown a perspective view of two types of brackets (30) used to mount wire mesh panels on a wall surface. Each one of these brackets comprises holes (32) for screwing the bracket to the wall surface and a punched-out hook (34) to insert the mesh panel. The bracket may consist of either a flat sheet of metal, or any other equivalent material for lateral panel mounting (30 a) or of two flanges joined at right angles to each other, for corner panel mounting (30 b).

[0055] It is also worth mentioning that a wire mesh door may be employed instead of a wire mesh panel allowing easy access to an enclosure conjointly with locking capabilities.

[0056] Moreover, referring to FIG. 12, a horizontal header (35) can be added on top of the posts and wire mesh panels to provide for added rigidity of the assembly.

[0057] As can be appreciated, the present invention provides a kit that makes it easy, simple and inexpensive to create secure storage areas, as for example, in a warehouse.

[0058] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A post for assembling and erecting unframed wire mesh partition panels made of crisscrossing vertical and horizontal wires, the post comprising: a central channel spanning lengthwise along the post, the central channel being sized to adjustly receive and mount a lateral end of a first partition panel; two lateral flanges flanking the central channel and extending lengthwise along the post; and a plurality of spaced hooks disposed along the two lateral flanges for holding and assembling a second and a third partition panel, the hooks pointing towards the central channel and being sized to hold the vertical wire of a lateral end of said second and third partition panel.
 2. A post according to claim 1, wherein the hooks are made of partially punched-out surface of the flanges.
 3. A post according to claim 1, made integrally of a bent, single metal strip.
 4. A post according to claim 3, wherein the flanges are extending at right angle to the central channel, the flanges and the central channel defining together a generally T-shaped cross section.
 5. A post according to claim 4, wherein the central channel has a U-shaped cross section.
 6. A post according to claim 5, comprising holders along an outer face of the central channel for holding a fourth partition panel opposite the first partition panel.
 7. A kit for erecting a modular partition panel comprising: a set of unframed wire mesh partition panels made of crisscrossing vertical and horizontal wires, each having two opposite lateral ends; at least one three-sided post, comprising: a central channel spanning lengthwise along the post, the central channel being sized to adjustly receive and mount a lateral end of a first partition panel; two lateral flanges flanking the central channel and extending lengthwise along the post; and a plurality of spaced hooks disposed along the two lateral flanges for holding and assembling a second and a third partition panel, the hooks pointing towards the central channel and being sized to hold the vertical wire of a lateral end of said second and third partition panel.
 8. A kit according to claim 7, wherein the partition panels comprise additional horizontal wires doubling a number of said horizontal wires to reinforce the structure of the partition panels.
 9. A kit according to claim 7, comprising: at least one two-sided corner post, comprising: two lateral flanges joined at right angle to each other and extending lengthwise along the corner post; a plurality of spaced hooks disposed along the two lateral flanges to hold two partition panels of the set, the hooks pointing inwardly and being sized to hold the vertical wire of a lateral end of said two partition panels.
 10. A kit according to claim 9, wherein the hooks of the three and two-sided posts are made of partially punched-out surface of the flanges.
 11. A kit according to claim 10, wherein the three and two-sided posts are respectively made integrally of a bent, single metal strip.
 12. A kit according to claim 7, comprising: brackets for mounting any one of said partition panels to a wall surface, each brackets comprising a holder to hold a lateral edge of a respective one of said partition panel and a screw hole for screwing the bracket to the wall surface.
 13. A kit according to claim 12, wherein the brackets respectively comprise two flanges joined at right angle to each other, one of said flanges comprising said holder and the other one of said flanges comprising said screw hole.
 14. A modular partition wall, comprising: unframed wire mesh partition panels made of crisscrossing vertical and horizontal wires; and a post joining the first and second partition panels, the post comprising: a central channel spanning lengthwise along the post, the central channel being sized to adjustly receive and mount a lateral end of a first one of said partition panels; two lateral flanges flanking the central channel and extending lengthwise along the post; and a plurality of spaced hooks disposed along the two lateral flanges holding and assembling a second and a third one of said partition panels, the hooks pointing towards the central channel and being sized to hold the vertical wire of a lateral end of said second and third partition panels. 